Gynecologic instrument



Sept. 23, 1941. E. H. EDWARDS GYNECOLOGIC INSTRK'JMENT Filed April 25, 1959 INVENTOR. f ELL/.5 It fpwano:

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GYNECOLOGIO INSTRUMENT Ellis H. Edwards, Scarsdale, N. Y.

Application April 25, 1939, Serial No. 269,859

Claims.

My invention relates to that class of devices which are designed to facilitate the correct positioning of the diaphragm in the vaginal canal.

tempted to release the diaphragm from the instrument, that before the diaphragm is released it will have been turned vertically and thus entirely defeat the purpose for which it is intended.

A further object of my invention is to provide an instrument which will put enough tension on the diaphragm to facilitate its introduction in the proper position, but will always release the diaphragm and leave it in the correct position.

A further object is to construct an instrument without any removable parts, so that no part can be mislaid or lost.

A further object is to gauge the teeth to fit all of'the usual sizes of the diaphragm.

A further object is to so curve the instrument that it will facilitate proper introduction of the diaphragm into the required position.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing ob- Jects may be more fully comprehended by having reference to the accompanying drawing, which is hereunto annexed and is a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a standard diaphragm constructed for this purpose;

Fig. 2 is an anatomical cross section showing the diaphragm in place in the vaginal canal, the diaphragm being shown in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the instrument with the diaphragm in place and under tension;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the manner I in'which my improved instrument releases the diaphragm, the diaphragm being released;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the side head.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire specification.

As shown in the drawing the instrument consists of a horizontal portion I, terminating in a hook 2, the'opposite end 3 of the horizontal portion is arcuate in form. The horizontal portion I and a portion of the arcuate part 3 is provided with a plurality of serrations to assist 'the user in holding the instrument in correct position.

At the top of the are I provide a plurality of hooks 3' which are placed at spaced intervals for the correct position to receive the various sizes of standard diaphragms. There are numerals formed on the under side of the instrument to indicate the size of the diaphragm for the corresponding hook.

The end 4 of the arcuate portion 3 is provided with a swivel head 5. This head is provided with a groove 6, preferably arcuate in shape, to conform to the curvature of the rim 1, of the diaphragm 8. As shown the head 5 is provided with a reduced neck or stem 9 which telescopes into a central recess I0 formed in the end 4 of the arcuate portion 3 of the instrument. This reduced neck or stem 9, has a circumferential groove ll formed adjacent its end l2. A pin 13 is inserted adjacent the end 4 of the arcuate portion 3 of the instrument and is, in register with the groove II. The result of this construction is that the head 5, is free to rotate and yet is held securely against longitudinal movement.

Practice has shown that when the head 5 is swiveled, as above described, that on the least rotation of the instrument the diaphragm will actually jump off of the hooks 3 and out of the groove 6 regardless of the tension which is put on it. This is true even if the user should make an error and stretch the diaphragm to the next hook, it will release every time upon the sli htest movement of the instrument and release the diaphragm leaving it in the correct position. It

exact details, except as such limitations may appear in the hereinafter appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A gynecologic instrument having a hook at one end, a plurality of hooks on the body thereof,

one end being swiveled to the other, means to prevent longitudinal movement oi said swiveled portion but which permits its iree rotation.

2. A gynecologic instrument comprising a horizontal portion having-a hook at one end and an arcuate portion at the other, a plurality oi hooks at the top oi the arcuate portion, there being a central recess in the end oi the arcuate portion, a head having an arcuate groove therein, a reduced neck on said head having'a circumierential groove iormed therein, said neck fitting said recess, a pin in said arcuate portion in register with said 'circumierential groove whereby said head is held against longitudinal movement but is iree to rotate. I

' 3; A gynecologic instrument comprising a horizontal portion having a hook at one end and an arcuate portion at the other, a plurality oi hooks at the top oi the arcuate portion, a head rotatably mounted in the end oi said arcuate portion, and means to prevent the longitudinal movement oi said head.

4. A gynecologic instrument comprising a horiarcuate portion at the other, there being a plurality oi serrations on said horizontal portion and a part oi the arcuate portion, a plurality oi hooks at the top oi the arcuate portiomthere being a central recessin the end oi the arcuate portion, a head having anarcuate groove therein,

a reduced neck on saidhead having a circumierential groove iormed therein, said neck'iitting said recess, a pin in said arcuate portion in reg ister with said circumierential groove whereby said head is held against longitudinal movement but is free to rotate.

5. A gynecologic instrument comprising a horizontal portion having a hook at one end and an arcuate portion at the other, a plurality oi serrations on said horizontal portion anda part oi the arcuate portion, a plurality oi hooks at the top oi the arcuate portion, the end oi the arcuate portion comprising a head having a notch iormed therein, means to prevent longitudinal movement oi said head but which permits its 'iree rotation.

1 aontal portion having a hook 'at one end and an 

